Finding reliable, trustworthy answers to as many of these six questions as possible should help students eventually design Brassica rapa seed germination investigations that are more both more accurate and trustworthy.

F & G period: F and G period students can read the “A period” entry from yesterday (Wednesday) to see what happened in today’s class.

Homework: NO due date has been given to this project yet…until one is announced, however, all students should try to make 20 minutes of progress on it each day outside of class.

Wednesday, January 31st

A period: After updating the table of contents of their lab notebooks, A period students were given the task of becoming ‘experts’ on seed germination and, if possible, Brassica rapa seed germination. Dr. Merritt explained to students that scientific investigations must be done with both careful thought and deliberate purpose. Before actually determining their seed germination rate by way of an experiment, all Grade 7 science students must become more knowledgable about both SEEDS and GERMINATION. Students have been asked to produce something–a document, a speech, a presentation, a video, a brochure, a short film, a book, anything!–that will ACCURATELY, CLEARLY, and EFFECTIVELY demonstrate their advanced knowledge of seeds and germination.

All projects must include a well-organized list of sources of information. In fact, Dr. Merritt has prepared “Source Sheets” for this purpose. Electronic versions of this sheet are available in both PDF and Google Doc forms. Paper versions are available in the classroom.

Homework: NO due date has been given to this project yet…until one is announced, however, all students should try to make 20 minutes of progress on it each day outside of class.

G period: Dr. Merritt introduced G period students to an authentic problem, which is described in detail on this handout received by students in class. This is the beginning of a new investigation (INV#6: Comparative study of Brassica rapa seed germination rates), the first of the new semester. During today’s activity students practiced writing a summary of the problem and transforming the problem into a researchable question.

Homework: There is no G period homework tonight.

Tuesday, January 30th

Today in science: Dr. Merritt introduced A & F period students to an authentic problem, which is described in detail on this handout received by students in class. This is the beginning of a new investigation (INV#6: Comparative study of Brassica rapa seed germination rates), the first of the new semester. During today’s activity students practiced writing a summary of the problem and transforming the problem into a researchable question.

Homework: There is no science homework tonight.

Monday, January 29th – Beginning of Semester 2

Today in science: Using the records found in their WFP Digital Journals, A period students were asked to identify five ‘firsts’ on their line graphs. These five events were best estimates of the following moments in the plants’ lives:

1: The first day on which the cotyledons were visible.
2: The first day on which a true leaf was visible.
3: The first day on which a unopened flower (bud) was visible.
4: The first day on which a opened flower was visible.
5: The first day on which a mature pistil was visible.

F & G period students filled out a Semester 1 questionnaire in class today and have no homework. They worked on their line graph paragraphs last Friday.

Homework: A period students have been asked to write 5 sentences on the back of their line graphs. Each sentence should try to relate the appearance of one of the five ‘first’ structures identified in class with 1) the growth rate of the plant during or after that appearance, and 2) the primary function of that particular structure.

Time travel is possible…

Time travel is possible…

About the Site

What Dr. Merritt sees when he looks in a mirror

Although this site primarily aims to assist and support middle and high school science students and teachers, others are more than welcome to peruse (and use) it, of course. The design, content, and maintenance of SCIENCEsEDiment.com is the work of Brett Merritt, Ph.D., who encourages all site visitors to understand deeply, think critically, act creatively, pursue passionately, relate ethically, & use wisely. Dr. Merritt is an American educator and researcher who lives and works in the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland (Ticino).